Intentional Leader with Cal Walters

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Get Jon's Book (Frontline AI Leadership): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HNDTHR36

Website: frontlineaileadership.com

My friend and West Point classmate Jon Harmeling is a Chick-fil-A owner-operator in Miami Shores, Florida, where he leads a team of 89 people from 18 different countries. He's also the author of Frontline AI Leadership. Jon has found ways to save approximately 10 hours a week using AI.

But what makes his approach so fascinating isn't simply the time he's saving. It's what he's doing with that time. He's using AI to identify overlooked employees, prepare for meaningful conversations, help his team pursue personal goals, and become a more intentional leader.

Jon shares a simple framework from his book: Machines do. Managers decide. Leaders develop.

It's a reminder that technology should support leadership, not replace the human relationships at its center. I hope this conversation encourages you to think differently about AI—and more intentionally about the people you've been entrusted to lead.

00:00 – What Should Leaders Do With the Time AI Saves?

00:39 – Welcome to the Intentional Leader Podcast

02:23 – From West Point to Chick-fil-A

06:44 – A Leadership Lesson That Changed Jon's Life

11:23 – The Competitive Journey to Becoming a Chick-fil-A Operator

17:29 – A Cancer Diagnosis and an Unexpected Turning Point

20:11 – When the Dream Gets Delayed

22:19 – Learning to Wait Well

24:30 – 363 Job Rejections and a Crisis of Purpose

28:07 – The Difference Between Success and Significance

29:32 – Losing His Father and Rethinking His Legacy

34:00 – The Legacy We Leave Behind

39:42 – Why AI Should Make Us Better Leaders

44:02 – Practical Ways Leaders Can Use AI

46:03 – Machines Do. Managers Decide. Leaders Develop.

48:22 – Using AI to Develop Your People

52:57 – How Jon Saves 10 Hours a Week

55:00 – Automating 13 of 15 Onboarding Steps

57:17 – The Question That Changed How Jon Uses AI

59:37 – How AI Identified an Overlooked Employee

1:04:00 – Which AI Tools Does Jon Actually Use?

1:09:43 – The Most Important Skills for an AI-Driven Future

1:14:15 – Frontline AI Leadership and Giving Back

1:17:00 – Final Thoughts Remember, life is short. Let's make it count.

#Leadership #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #IntentionalLeadership #ChickfilA

Please visit my website to get more information: https://calwalters.me/

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Apply to join the Intentional Leader Lab: https://courses.calwalters.me/thelab

Get the book or connect with Dan and Griffin: https://bringyourownpencil.com/

What does it actually take to build a winning culture?

In this episode, I sit down with Dan Casey and Griffin Brand, authors of Bring Your Own Pencil: Bill Walsh's Playbook for Winning at Anything, to explore the leadership lessons behind legendary San Francisco 49ers coach Bill Walsh. We talk about how Walsh transformed one of the NFL's worst organizations into a championship team, why great cultures eventually become self-policing, how leaders establish meaningful standards without micromanaging, and why the moments when you feel closest to quitting may come right before a breakthrough.

In this conversation:

00:00 — Welcome + the Intentional Leader Lab

01:24 — The story behind Bring Your Own Pencil

04:05 — Ronnie Lott, Hacksaw Reynolds, and personal preparation

06:23 — How leaders create a self-policing culture

08:12 — Candid feedback without tearing people down

09:50 — Bill Walsh's Standard of Performance

11:24 — Setting clear standards without micromanaging

12:43 — The danger of "productive procrastination"

13:37 — What were Bill Walsh's actual standards?

15:51 — How to create standards for your own team

18:15 — Why authentic leadership matters

20:56 — Why Bill Walsh wanted everyone to call him "Bill"

22:58 — Great leaders operate at 30,000 feet and in the dirt

26:04 — Bill Walsh's long road to becoming an NFL head coach

29:00 — What to do when your opportunity hasn't arrived

31:01 — Your "permanent base camp" for preparation

33:23 — Did Bill Walsh ever want to quit?

36:41 — The Valley of Death

37:39 — Why setbacks often come after success

38:39 — Why the people around you matter

41:23 — Why leaders need to be led

43:37 — Build a personal board of advisors

45:49 — Bill Walsh's coaching tree and the legacy of a leader

48:48 — What is "permissionless apprenticeship"?

50:47 — How Dan made Bill Walsh his mentor

53:55 — Charlie Munger, Benjamin Franklin, and self-education

55:17 — Why personal development is your responsibility

56:34 — How to connect with Dan and Griffin

59:46 — Final thoughts: private victories precede public victories

Please visit my website to get more information: https://calwalters.me/

📘Order Ryan's New Book, The Price of Becoming: https://learningleader.com/

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What does it really take to become the person you're capable of becoming?

In this conversation, Ryan Hawk shares the lessons he's learned from interviewing more than 700 world-class leaders, the habits that build lasting confidence, and why keeping promises to yourself is the foundation of consistency.

We also discuss the surprising letter that changed Ryan's life as a child, his years-long pursuit of Jim Collins, and the leadership lessons he's learned from his wife and family. If you're looking to grow as a leader, spouse, parent, or person, I think you'll find this conversation both challenging and encouraging.

00:00 Introduction

01:10 Why Ryan Hawk Loves Long-Form Conversations

03:04 How Interviewing Became a Core Part of Ryan's Life

06:22 The People Who Shape Who We Become

07:44 The Letter Ryan Received at Eight Years Old

09:54 Prove Your Supporters Right

13:16 The Motivation Behind Ryan's Work

16:56 Responsibility, Service, and Productive Paranoia

19:08 Have a Plan, Work the Plan, Plan for the Unexpected

22:39 The Real Price of Becoming

25:44 How Confidence Is Built Through Consistency

28:05 Are Some People Naturally More Disciplined?

32:16 Be Careful About the Promises You Make

35:36 Ryan's Unfiltered Perspective on Waking Up Early

38:49 When Your Strengths Create Tension at Home

41:49 What Ryan's Wife Said About His Growth

44:14 Why Curiosity Is One of the Greatest Ways to Show Love

47:52 Modeling Love, Marriage, and Leadership at Home

50:37 Ryan's Years-Long Pursuit of Jim Collins

54:34 How Ryan Finally Got Jim Collins on the Podcast

56:29 Meeting One of His Heroes

58:23 The Price of Becoming and Where to Find Ryan

1:00:25 Closing Thoughts

Please visit my website to get more information: https://calwalters.me/

🔔𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬. https://www.youtube.com/@intentionalleader_calwalters/?sub_confirmation=1

Learn more about (or apply) for the next Clarity Cohort: https://theclaritycohort.com What separates a good speaker from a great one?

In this episode, Cal sits down with Eva Rose Daniel, a speech coach and communication strategist who has spent nearly two decades helping leaders, authors, speakers, and public figures communicate with greater clarity, confidence, and influence.

Eva has worked with voices like Dave Ramsey and Jefferson Fisher, and in this conversation she shares practical, tactical advice for anyone who wants to become a more memorable and effective communicator.

Cal and Eva discuss why preparation matters, how to rehearse well, how to sound more authentic, how to overcome procrastination and imposter syndrome, and how to tell stories that actually connect with an audience.

This episode is especially helpful for anyone who leads meetings, teaches, preaches, pitches ideas, gives presentations, speaks on stage, or wants to communicate with more confidence and clarity.

In This Episode, We Cover:

00:00 Introduction 01:20 What Eva learned from working with Dave Ramsey 04:42 What makes a speech unforgettable 08:26 How to sound more authentic 11:31 Internalize your content instead of memorizing it 14:37 How to rehearse effectively 22:10 How to overcome procrastination 27:23 Imposter syndrome and speaking confidence 35:45 How to receive feedback without losing confidence 41:05 How to give clear, specific, kind feedback 45:33 How to tell better stories 54:02 Why every speaker needs a story file 55:12 Eva's SPARK framework for preparing a talk

Key Takeaways

Great speakers are never too good to practice.

The best communicators don't wait for a big stage to refine their skills. They practice in everyday conversations, meetings, and smaller opportunities.

Memorable communication usually includes strong storytelling, authenticity, and a clear framework or point of view.

Instead of memorizing a speech word for word, internalize the main ideas so you can communicate naturally.

Your first time giving a presentation should not be in front of the actual audience. Practice with trusted people and ask for specific feedback.

Procrastination is common, but Eva recommends "planned spontaneity": prepare the structure early, then leave room for timely examples, humor, and fresh insight.

When imposter syndrome shows up, remember that someone invited you because they believed you had something valuable to share.

Feedback should be clear, specific, and kind.

Every leader should keep a story file to capture meaningful moments, funny observations, lessons, and examples.

Practical Application

Before your next presentation, ask:

What do I want my audience to know? What do I want them to feel? What do I want them to do?

Then use Eva's SPARK framework:

S — Start with a story P — Identify the problem A — Give the action steps R — Resolve what you opened K — End with a knockout close

Connect with Eva Rose Daniel

Website: https://www.thespeakshop.com/ LinkedIn: Eva Rose Daniel

Listen and Subscribe

If this episode encouraged you, helped you grow, or made you think, please subscribe, leave a review, or share it with a friend.

➡️ Get my free weekly newsletter (The Intentional Letter): https://courses.calwalters.me/signup

Email cal@calwalters.me if you're interested in learning more about the Intentional Leader Lab.

Learn more about Jamie Winship and his work: https://www.identityexchange.com/

Get Jamie's new book, The War of Worldviews: https://www.identityexchange.com/books

Jamie Winship returns to the Intentional Leader Podcast for a deep and honest conversation about fear, identity, conflict, truth-telling, and what it means to lead from love instead of self-protection.

Jamie is a former CIA officer, conflict mediator, speaker, and author of Living Fearless and The War of Worldviews. In this conversation, Jamie shares vulnerably about his own fear of being a disappointment, how leaders often use self-protection and self-promotion to cover insecurity, and why truth-telling is one of the most powerful tools for resolving conflict.

We also explore how leaders can help people in conflict, why anger is often connected to fear, and why leaders must model the freedom they want to create in others.

Jamie is a Christian, and this conversation includes discussion of faith, prayer, Jesus, and Scripture. Whether or not you come from that faith background, this episode offers powerful insight into what it means to be human, to face fear honestly, and to lead with courage, love, and truth.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why fear is valuable but should not make decisions for us
• How leaders self-protect and self-promote when they feel afraid
• Why conflict is usually rooted in fear
• How to tell the truth without weaponizing vulnerability
• Why leaders must do their own inner work first
• How to help people in conflict reconnect as human beings
• Why love, not fear, is the better leadership motive
• How to stay grounded in high-stress situations

00:00 Introduction

01:37 Jamie's core fear: being a disappointment

04:47 How fear shows up in leadership

05:13 The decision to take his family to Iraq

07:33 When leadership decisions go wrong

08:29 Why truth-telling is the path through fear

10:16 Only truth can remove a lie

12:28 What Jamie says to himself when fear rises

12:50 Fear makes simple things complicated

15:13 Tracing fear back to an old wound

17:31 Asking God where He was in the painful moment

19:42 What happens when leaders don't process fear

20:17 Self-protection and self-promotion

21:31 Don't get your identity from the room

22:14 Can leaders be motivated by love instead of fear?

22:38 Every decision comes from fear or love

25:59 Jamie's definition of love

26:05 Serve and protect vs. enforce and control

30:32 How leaders should handle conflict on their team

32:16 Fear is what produces conflict

34:36 Underneath anger is usually fear

36:53 How identity changes conflict resolution

39:23 "I'm not qualified to do that"

40:12 Leaders must model the freedom they want to create

42:36 How two people in conflict can tell the truth

45:02 A CEO chooses humanity over HR process

47:13 Is truth-telling too vulnerable in conflict?

47:46 Truth-telling vs. vulnerability

49:03 A real-world conflict resolution example

53:25 Why present pain usually has a past root

56:25 What to do if you can't remember where the fear started

57:21 Habits for staying calm under pressure

57:49 Keep your brain in your own car

01:00:41 How the future helps us deal with fear

01:01:07 Getting the enemy out from behind you

01:03:34 Cal's biggest takeaways

➡️ Get my free weekly newsletter (The Intentional Letter): https://courses.calwalters.me/signup

Check out Jordan's work: https://www.montgomerycompanies.com/

00:00 Intro + Why Encouragement Matters (Even for High Performers)

01:09 Why Everyone Needs Encouragement (No Matter Their Success)

02:35 What Elite Performers Have in Common (They All Have Coaches)

04:16 The Paradox of Growth: The More You Learn, The More You Need Help

06:25 How Jordan Coaches Leaders (2 Powerful Questions)

07:44 "What Do You Want?" + "Who Are You Really?"

10:01 Why Most Leaders Struggle with Self-Awareness

11:47 Identity, Calling, and Becoming an Encourager

13:27 Jordan's Failure Story (Losing His Career at 27)

15:53 "You're Not Buried, You're Planted" (Valley Season Lessons)

17:01 The Power of Self-Encouragement

19:32 How to Rewire Your Thinking (Speak vs. Listen to Yourself)

21:32 Practical Self-Talk (What It Actually Looks Like Daily)

23:27 The Art of Authentic Encouragement

23:56 Why Specific Encouragement Is More Powerful

26:59 Final Takeaways + How to Encourage Others Better

27:42 Practical Leadership Application (Cal's Closing Thoughts)

What if encouragement isn't just "nice"… but essential for leadership?

In this episode of the Intentional Leader Podcast, I sit down with Jordan Montgomery, bestselling author of The Art of Encouragement, to unpack:

• Why even elite performers need encouragement
• The surprising link between success and coaching
• How to lead yourself when your mindset is off
• Why most encouragement feels fake—and how to fix it
• A simple framework to become a better encourager today

This conversation is short—but packed with practical wisdom you can apply immediately in your leadership, your family, and your team.

➡️ Get my free weekly newsletter (The Intentional Letter): https://courses.calwalters.me/signup

Follow Jeff's work: https://www.jeffwetzler.com/

Dr. Jeff Wetzler, author of Ask, joins Cal Walters to unpack a leadership blind spot: the crucial information your team has… but isn't telling you. Jeff explains the "left-hand column" (what people think and feel but don't say), the four reasons honesty gets filtered, and the ASK Approach—a practical framework for choosing curiosity, building psychological safety, asking better questions, and closing the loop when feedback is hard to act on.

If you want better decisions, healthier relationships, and fewer surprises, this conversation will give you a playbook.

Episode Outline / Timestamps

00:00 The hidden information problem

00:41 Guest intro + what you'll learn

01:37 Chris Argyris + the "left-hand column" tool

08:07 Four reasons people don't tell you the truth

12:06 Why smart/successful leaders struggle to learn

13:55 Jeff's near miss: one question that revealed the truth

15:45 Psychological safety: why curiosity alone isn't enough

21:35 Reactivity: the biggest predictor of future honesty

22:18 Responding well to hard feedback

25:00 The ASK Approach: Choose curiosity

29:48 Curiosity killers + "When you're furious, get curious"

32:29 Busy leaders: "Pay now or pay later"

36:40 Quality questions vs. crummy questions

40:04 Better questions for feedback and performance reviews

44:07 Go-to questions for parties and relationships

47:48 Questions as a gift: helping others gain clarity

49:55 How to handle feedback you won't follow

51:08 Reflect & reconnect: sift it, turn it, and close the loop

53:13 Cal's takeaways and practical challenges

Practical Challenges to Try This Week

•

Replace: "Do you have feedback for me?"

With: "What's one thing I could do differently that would make your life easier?"

•

When you feel defensive, ask one question before making a statement.

•

When someone brings hard truth, try:

"That's hard to hear—and I'm really glad you told me."

➡️ Get my free weekly newsletter (The Intentional Letter): https://courses.calwalters.me/signup

Get Randy's book: https://www.amazon.com/Winning-Begins-Home-Strategy-Leadership/dp/B0CTYGNXCG

Learn about Lead Every Day: https://leadeveryday.com/

In this episode, Cal Walters sits down with executive coach, speaker, and author Randy Gravitt of ⁨@Lead_Every_Day⁩ to explore one of the most important leadership questions of our time:

How do you pursue excellence at work without sacrificing what matters most at home?

Randy shares powerful insights from decades of coaching leaders across Fortune 100 companies, professional sports teams, and nonprofits—along with lessons from his book Winning Begins at Home.

This conversation goes beyond clichés about work-life balance and gets practical about strategy, systems, presence, and love—and why winning at home actually makes you a better leader at work.

Please visit my website to get more information: https://calwalters.me/

00:00 – Welcome to 2026 & the Intentional Leader community

02:10 – Introducing Randy Gravitt & the tension leaders feel

03:40 – Strategic at work, sporadic at home

06:00 – Why family has quietly been diminished

07:45 – Being home but not really home

08:55 – Proximity does not equal intimacy

10:00 – The servant leadership tension

12:20 – Living in the center of the tension

13:45 – Begin with the end in mind

15:10 – You will never finish all the work

16:50 – Seasons turn into patterns

18:30 – The NFL Super Bowl story

21:00 – Leaving work at work

22:15 – Training presence like a discipline

23:30 – Rituals that help you be present

25:30 – Phone boundaries that actually work

27:40 – Winning the first hour of the day

29:40 – Why home life fuels work performance

32:10 – Choosing priorities on purpose

34:00 – The hidden cost of neglecting home

36:30 – "What kind of family do you want?"

38:40 – Family by design, not by default

41:00 – Marriage after the kids leave

43:00 – Don't go to bed angry

46:30 – Love first

49:50 – See a need, meet a need

54:00 – Final encouragement to leaders

59:00 – Key takeaways & closing challenge

➡️ Get my free weekly newsletter (The Intentional Letter): https://courses.calwalters.me/signup

📚 Get LTG (Ret.) Beagle's new book, When the Map Runs Out: https://www.amazon.com/When-Map-Runs-Out-Uncertain/dp/B0G1ZGH76J

As leaders rise, they often hear less and less truth. LTG (Ret.) Milford Beagle calls this the cone of silence—and he warns that it's one of the quietest ways leaders lose their true north.

In this episode, we explore how to lead when your "map" falls apart. General Beagle shares his journey from a stunned new platoon leader at Fort Polk to commanding the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center, and what he's learned about staying grounded, humble, and effective in uncertainty.

We dig into his new book, When the Map Runs Out: Values, Judgment, and Clarity in Uncertain Times, and talk about practical tools: a one-page "How to Handle Me" document, a journaling habit to process negative emotions, and how to invite real feedback without shutting people down.

If you're navigating change, promotion, or pressure to have all the answers, this conversation will help you lead with confidence and humility at the same time.

🔎 In This Episode, You'll Learn

•

Why the higher you go, the more you're at risk of a cone of silence.

•

How leaders lose true north—not from incompetence, but distortion.

•

The difference between maps (plans, strategies, frameworks) and the compass (your values and judgment).

•

Two key disciplines of leadership: bearing (self-awareness) and calibration (inviting others to check your bearing).

•

How introverts, extroverts, and ambiverts can all be authentic leaders without pretending to be someone else.

•

A practical tool: the "How to Handle Me" document that accelerates trust and clarifies expectations.

•

How to create a culture where honest feedback is normal—especially for senior leaders.

•

Why even three-star generals feel imposter syndrome, and how to work through it.

•

How to provide clarity without certainty using "signposts on the road."

•

Simple habits for resilience: journaling, reframing failure, and "always quit tomorrow."

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – The cone of silence: how leaders lose true north as they rise

01:56 – Cal's intro, the Intentional Leader Podcast, and LTG Beagle's background

03:15 – Fort Polk & the first platoon: "I felt like a leader… and not a very good one"

08:45 – From follower to leader: athletics, ROTC, and early moments when the map ran out

10:27 – Why When the Map Runs Out and the map/compass metaphor

12:36 – Frameworks, bearing, and calibration: why leaders need more than maps

16:54 – Authentic leadership for every personality type

22:57 – Designing a "How to Handle Me" one-pager for your team

26:27 – Examples: not liking details, humor, and getting quiet when processing

29:57 – Public speaking fear, reps & sets, and keeping the bar high

32:16 – Ego, promotion, and the cone of silence at senior levels

36:27 – Training your team to give you unvarnished feedback

40:24 – Feedback as the breakfast of champions (and why it stings)

42:09 – Imposter syndrome at the Combined Arms Center

46:01 – Clarity vs. certainty: the signpost town hall during organizational change

52:05 – True north and values: integrity, empathy, resilience, "quit tomorrow," loyalty

58:33 – The hurdles metaphor: falling, resilience, and running through obstacles

1:02:10 – Journaling to process emotion and see your own growth over time

1:07:17 – Time, priorities, and the cost of diluted focus

1:15:02 – Knowing your weaknesses and starting with them in interviews

1:16:15 – Where to find When the Map Runs Out and connect with LTG Beagle

1:17:53 – Cal's closing: four practical actions you can take this week

🧭 Practical Ways to Apply This Episode

•

Create your own "How to Handle Me" document

•

One page, honest, and specific: quirks, tendencies, what you're working on, and how people can best work with you.

•

Start (or restart) a journaling habit

•

For the next 7 days, write at least one sentence about how you're feeling and what you're facing.

•

Ask for one piece of real feedback

•

Pick one person you trust. Ask, "What's one thing I could do differently that would make me a better leader for you?" Then thank them.

•

Practice clarity in uncertainty

•

In one messy situation this week, clearly state:

•

What we know

•

What we don't know

•

What we're going to do next

Connect with Joe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephpmccormack/

Learn more about The Brief Lab: https://thebrieflab.com/

How do you become the kind of leader who cuts through noise, communicates with clarity, and actually moves people to action?

In this episode of the Intentional Leader Podcast, Cal talks with Joe McCormack—founder of The Brief Lab and author of Brief, Noise, and Quiet Works. Joe has trained elite military units and Fortune 500 executives to be clear, concise, and intentional communicators, and to rediscover the quiet that makes powerful communication possible.

They explore:

•

Why noise is the real villain in your leadership story

•

The "sword and shield" of effective communication: brief (cut through clutter) and quiet (protect your attention)

•

Why being brief actually requires more preparation, not less

•

The 3 levels of detail and how to stop overwhelming people

•

How to build quiet into your day so you think better and lead better

•

Why thinking time is part of your job, not a luxury

•

How to use small pockets of quiet before and after meetings

•

Practical ways to manage your phone instead of being managed by it

•

How AI + quiet work can become a leadership superpower

If you've ever felt frustrated by endless meetings, rambling updates, or your own distracted brain, this conversation will give you practical tools you can use this week.

Episode Highlights

•

Noise as the villain – How constant distractions, disruptions, and devices are eroding our ability to think and communicate.

•

The brief & quiet toolkit – Brief is the sword that cuts through clutter; quiet is the shield that protects your attention so you can prepare.

•

Why we overtalk – Insecurity, lack of preparation, ego, and a poor understanding of attention spans.

•

The 3 levels of detail – Level 1 (headline), Level 2 (support), Level 3 (full detail). Most leadership moments only need Levels 1–2.

•

Clarity like comedy – Sequence and timing matter. If it takes too long to get to the punchline, you lose people—even if the content is good.

•

Quiet as an appointment – Why you should literally block quiet time on your calendar and not treat it like a "snow day."

•

Quiet before collaboration – Simple practices like two minutes of silence at the start of meetings can transform outcomes.

•

Redefining work in the AI age – Undistracted thinking is becoming a rare and valuable skill; AI works best when you can sit still and think.

•

Your phone works for you – Reframing your phone as a tool, not a master.

Practical Takeaways

•

Take 3 minutes before your next meeting or email to decide: What's my headline?

•

Use Joe's 3 levels of detail filter: Am I giving a headline, a trailer, or the entire movie?

•

Block 15 minutes of quiet in the morning and afternoon, and connect it directly to upcoming or recent communication.

•

Start your next team meeting with 2 minutes of silence for everyone to think about what they want to say and what they hope to get out of the meeting.

•

Put your phone in another room for your quiet block and remind yourself: My phone works for me; I don't work for it.

How do the best military leaders go from operating at an already elite level… to an even higher level under pressure?

In this episode, Army psychologist Dr. Liz Werly (who works directly with some of the U.S. military's most elite units) breaks down the exact framework she uses to help high performers:

•

build accurate self-awareness using gold-standard assessments,

•

"engineer" their personality to fit the context (calm under fire and present at home),

•

develop emotional intelligence as the differentiator once IQ and talent are in place, and

•

translate values into visible daily behaviors that protect what matters most.

We also dig into groundedness and intentionality as core high-performance habits, the basics that leaders ignore at their own risk (sleep, rhythm, connection), and how generational shifts and resiliency trends are reshaping today's force and workplaces.

In this episode, you'll learn:

•

How Dr. Werly assesses elite leaders (IQ, Big Five, emotional measures) and turns data into a growth plan

•

Why emotional intelligence becomes more important than raw intellect at higher levels of leadership

•

A simple values → beliefs → behaviors framework (including the "20-minute Lego" example)

•

How to recognize when your strengths (e.g., robotic under pressure) become liabilities at home or with your team

•

Practical tools for grounding, bandwidth management, and emotional "dialing"

•

What leaders need to understand about younger generations, resiliency, and expectations

If you're already a high performer and want to become a more grounded, self-aware, and sustainable leader, this conversation is for you.

Mentioned in this episode:

•

Connect with Dr. Liz Werly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-h-werly-psy-d-b843b817/

•

Join the waitlist for the next Intentional Leader Lab cohort: intentionalleaderlab.com

The views expressed in this episode are those of the participants and do not represent the official position of the U.S. Government or the U.S. Army.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro – How elite leaders go from high to higher

00:33 Disclaimer + what this episode will cover

01:06 Welcome to The Intentional Leader Podcast + IL Lab mention

01:36 Meet Dr. Liz Werly & her work with elite military units

03:35 "If I walked into your office…" – her framework for high performers

05:19 Patterns, personality, and "engineering" your strengths

07:42 Robotic under pressure, distant at home – dialing traits up/down

09:20 Big Five, gold-standard assessments & why cheap tests fall short

11:24 Why tests need interpretation, not labels

13:18 How leaders react when they see their data

16:50 Values-based goals & Acceptance and Commitment mindset

18:58 IQ vs personality vs EQ – what you can actually change

21:00 The four pillars of emotional intelligence (Liz's breakdown)

24:25 Why EQ is the edge once IQ is "good enough"

24:50 Groundedness & intentionality as #1 performance levers

26:44 Designing your "ideal day" for this season of life

29:04 Sleep, basics, and whole-person performance

29:50 Values → beliefs → behaviors (the 20-minute Lego example)

32:36 When values collide (deployments, travel, guilt & shame)

34:44 Emotions as information vs letting emotions drive decisions

36:30 Generational friction & why it's an emotional intelligence issue

39:25 Tech, expectations, and how younger leaders are different

41:06 Resiliency, safety culture, and maturity gaps

43:18 Recruiting, mental health, and opportunity in today's force

45:00 Where to connect with Liz + her final advice to leaders

46:24 Outro – 5 practical challenges: grounding, values, bandwidth, dialing, feedback

Apply to work with me 1-1: https://courses.calwalters.me/coaching

Join the Intentional Leader Lab waitlist: https://courses.calwalters.me/intentional-leader-lab

Learn more about Zach: https://www.zachmercurio.com/

In this conversation, Dr. Zach Mercurio discusses the importance of creating a sense of purpose and mattering within teams. He emphasizes that feeling valued is a basic human instinct and that leaders play a crucial role in fostering an environment where everyone feels significant. The discussion covers the psychological impacts of not feeling like one matters, the barriers leaders face in demonstrating care, and practical strategies for enhancing team dynamics through small, intentional interactions. The conversation ultimately highlights the shift from traditional command-and-control leadership to a more trust-based approach that prioritizes relationships and emotional intelligence.

00:00 Creating a Sense of Purpose in Teams

02:10 Understanding the Cost of Not Mattering

04:28 The Role of Leaders in Mattering

07:56 The Importance of Mattering in Work and Life

11:41 Barriers to Caring in Leadership

16:10 The Shift from Command and Control to Trust-Based Leadership

19:35 Leading Indicators vs. Lagging Indicators

23:28 The Power of Small Interactions

28:59 Practical Actions for Leaders to Show Mattering

44:26 Noticing, Affirming, and Needing in Leadership

Update: Now only 6 spots left in the Intentional Leader Lab!

➡️ Learn about the Intentional Leader Lab: https://intentionalleaderlab.com

Book a call: https://tally.so/r/w8X6dz

Apply today: https://tally.so/r/nr40XM

Please visit my website to get more information: https://calwalters.me/

In this episode, Dr. Ryan Gottfredson returns to discuss the concepts of trauma, vertical development, and the distinction between 'being' and 'doing' in leadership. He emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and healing one's internal operating system to achieve true personal transformation. The conversation explores how mindsets shape our experiences and the role of emotional intelligence in effective leadership. Ryan shares his personal journey of transformation and the impact of trauma on leadership effectiveness, providing insights into how leaders can grow both personally and professionally.

00:00 Introduction to the Intentional Leader Lab

01:12 Deep Dive with Dr. Ryan Gottfredson

02:35 Exploring Mindsets and Personal Transformation

04:49 The Importance of Vertical Development

11:13 Understanding Self-Protective Fears

16:12 The Doing Side vs. The Being Side

22:42 The Impact of Trauma on Leadership

29:58 Emotional Intelligence and Its Connection to Being

38:47 The Neuroscience of Emotional Intelligence

44:23 Ryan's Personal Journey of Transformation

50:40 Final Thoughts on Becoming Better

Takeaways

- The Intentional Leader Lab offers a six-month leadership experience

- Dr. Ryan Gottfredson emphasizes the importance of vertical development

- Mindsets are crucial for personal transformation

- Self-protective fears can hinder leadership growth

- The distinction between doing and being is vital for leaders

- Emotional intelligence is primarily a being side ability

- Trauma can significantly impact leadership effectiveness

- Awareness is the first step towards transformation

- Expanding your window of tolerance is essential for growth

- Healing one's internal operating system is key to becoming better

#leadership #leader #leadershipdevelopment #emotionalintelligence #podcast #personalgrowth #growth #growthmindset #growthjourney #trauma #traumahealing #selfimprovement #selfcare #selflove #selfgrowth #intentionalliving #fear #fearless #team #teamwork #neuroscience #science

➡️ Learn about the Intentional Leader Lab: https://intentionalleaderlab.com

Book a call: https://tally.so/r/w8X6dz

Apply today: https://tally.so/r/nr40XM

The Intentional Leader Lab: A Mastermind for Successful Leaders Who Refuse to Plateau Even the best leaders can drift, but this carefully curated leadership community and Cal's Narrow Path™ Framework give you the tools, accountability, and systems to accelerate your growth. Only 11 spots left.

➡️ Apply to the Intentional Leader Lab (only 12 slots available): https://intentionalleaderlab.com/

In this conversation, Cal introduces the Intentional Leader Lab, a coaching program aimed at enhancing leadership skills through emotional intelligence. Dr. Travis Bradberry, an expert in emotional intelligence, discusses its significance in leadership, differentiating it from IQ, and the importance of self-awareness, self-management, and social awareness. The conversation emphasizes practical strategies for developing emotional intelligence and the impact it has on personal and professional relationships.

Dr. Travis Bradberry is a best-selling author and a leading expert in emotional intelligence (EQ), co-authoring the #1 bestseller Emotional Intelligence 2.0 and the book The New Emotional Intelligence. He co-founded TalentSmart, a provider of EQ assessments and training used by many Fortune 500 companies, and is currently the Chief People Scientist at LEADx. His work focuses on practical strategies and new research to help people improve their EQ, which impacts behavior, decision-making, and relationships.

➡️ Get my free weekly newsletter (The Intentional Letter): https://courses.calwalters.me/signup

🧭 Clarify Your Core Values: https://calwalters.me/course

In this conversation, Melody Wilding, an expert in managing up, discusses the essential skills and strategies needed to influence your boss and navigate workplace dynamics effectively. She emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence, establishing alignment, and taking ownership in your role. The discussion also covers setting boundaries, giving and receiving feedback, and the concept of the triple win, which focuses on finding mutually beneficial solutions for yourself, your boss, and the organization.

Melody Wilding is the bestselling author of Trust Yourself: Stop Overthinking and Channel Your Emotions for Success at Work and the Managing Up: How to Get What You Need from the People in Charge.

Melody is a licensed social worker with a master's degree from Columbia University, professor of human behavior at Hunter College in New York City, and former emotions researcher at Rutgers University.

For more than a decade, she's helped top performers and leadership at the world's most successful companies — including Google, JP Morgan, and Verizon — to communicate more clearly, prevent burnout, and transform complicated workplace dynamics into powerful alliances that impact the bottom line.

Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and dozens of other respected publications. She's a regular contributor to Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Fast Company, and CNBC.

➡️ Connect with Melody: https://melodywilding.com/

00:00 Mastering the Art of Managing Up

01:23 Understanding the Concept of Managing Up

05:37 Navigating Workplace Dynamics

07:52 The Importance of Emotional Intelligence

11:55 The Power of Effective Conversations

15:35 The Triple Win Concept

20:21 Establishing Alignment with Your Boss

39:57 Taking Ownership in Your Role

49:50 Setting Boundaries for Success

53:35 Giving and Receiving Feedback Effectively

Please visit my website to get more information: https://calwalters.me/

🔔𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬. https://www.youtube.com/@intentionalleader_calwalters/?sub_confirmation=1

➡️ Get my free weekly newsletter (The Intentional Letter): https://courses.calwalters.me/signup

In this episode of the Intentional Leader podcast, Cal and Patrick Lencioni delve into the core motivations behind leadership, emphasizing the importance of serving others over seeking personal gain. They discuss the impact of fear on leadership effectiveness, the necessity of daily self-reflection, and the significance of understanding one's wounds in shaping leadership styles. The conversation also touches on the importance of unity within organizations and offers practical advice for leaders at various stages of their careers, encouraging self-discovery and intentionality in leadership practices.

Go deeper with Pat and his work:

- The Table Group: https://www.tablegroup.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooh27JebY2gN8wRMxtvnSo_5oO9jcZ6r0y7cdrS00K2kPh_-E0O

- The Working Genius Assessment: https://www.workinggenius.com/

- At the Table Podcast: https://www.tablegroup.com/pat/#podcasters

00:00 The Essence of Leadership Motivation

02:55 Understanding the True Motive Behind Leadership

05:41 The Impact of Fear on Leadership

08:46 Daily Reflections and Intentions

11:36 The Importance of Self-Discovery in Leadership

14:40 Navigating Leadership Through Different Life Stages

17:33 The Role of Wounds in Shaping Leadership

20:26 Finding Peace Beyond Success

23:29 Unity in Leadership and Organizations

26:46 Advice for Young Leaders

29:28 The Journey of Self-Awareness

32:36 Leadership in the Later Stages of Life

35:31 Creating Cohesion in Divided Times

Please visit my website to get more information: https://calwalters.me/

🔔𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬. https://www.youtube.com/@intentionalleader_calwalters/?sub_confirmation=1

⭐⭐⭐ Audio Podcast is currently on your favorite platforms:

ApplePodcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/intentional-leader-with-cal-walters/id1468715294

Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/41qlvUJj1Ej0hzNp3dC5wn

🔗 Support Me Here! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/calwalters

🔗 Stay Connected With Me. Linkedin (Cal Walters): https://www.linkedin.com/in/cal-walters-5571b824/

Linkedin (Intentional Leader): https://www.linkedin.com/company/intentional-living-leadership/

Website: https://calwalters.me/

📩 For business inquiries: cal@calwalters.me

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Discover Your Core Values: https://calwalters.me/course

Geoff Woods is the author of The AI-Driven Leader and the Founder of AI Leadership, where he empowers leaders to harness AI, escape operational overwhelm, and think strategically to accelerate growth.

AI Leadership is spearheaded by Geoff Woods, a visionary leader with a proven track record helping companies grow through strategic thinking and AI-driven solutions.

As the former Chief Growth Officer of Jindal Steel & Power, he drove market cap growth from $750M to $12B in four years through AI-driven leadership.

He also co-founded the training and consulting company behind The ONE Thing, where he coached and advised companies with annual revenues from $10 million to $60 billion.​​

In this conversation, Cal and Geoff explore the transformative potential of AI in leadership and decision-making. They discuss the importance of asking the right questions, mastering essential skills, and using AI as a strategic partner rather than just a tool. The dialogue highlights real-world applications of AI in business, including creating AI boards to simulate executive dynamics and enhance decision-making processes. The speakers emphasize the need for leaders to adapt to technological advancements and leverage AI to overcome significant challenges in their organizations. In this conversation, the speakers explore the transformative role of AI in leadership and decision-making. They discuss practical applications of AI in board meetings, presentation feedback, and strategic thinking. The importance of maintaining a thought leadership role while leveraging AI as a thought partner is emphasized, along with the need for leaders to adapt to the rapidly changing job landscape. The discussion also highlights lessons from Blockbuster's downfall and offers practical steps for leaders to integrate AI into their daily practices.

00:00 AI as a Strategic Partner for Leaders

07:23 Harnessing AI for Strategic Thinking

21:43 Creating AI Boards for Leadership

26:02 Real-World Applications of AI in Business

27:51 Simulating Reality: AI's Role in Predictive Analysis

29:03 Proactive AI Engagement: Preparing for Presentations

31:20 Thought Leadership vs. Thought Partnership

33:05 Building Your AI Board: A Personal Strategy

38:50 Strategic Thinking: Lessons from Blockbuster's Downfall

42:38 Practical Steps for Leaders: Using AI Effectively

45:04 Future Skills: Preparing for an AI-Driven World

49:52 Powerful Questions: Shaping Your Leadership Journey

➡️ Get my Newsletter (Intentional Letter): https://courses.calwalters.me/signup

Discover Your Core Values: https://calwalters.me/course

Get On Character by General McChrystal: https://www.mcchrystalgroup.com/about/books/detail/2025/01/04/on-character--choices-that-define-a-life

Follow Stan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stanmcchrystal/

Learn about the McChrystal Group: https://www.mcchrystalgroup.com/

In this conversation, General Stanley McChrystal discusses the profound impact of character on leadership, emphasizing that true leadership is tested during challenging times. He reflects on his personal experiences, including his resignation from the military, and how his marriage has shaped his character. The discussion also delves into the importance of understanding core values, the influence of parents on our convictions, and the role of fear in leadership decisions. McChrystal encourages leaders to clarify their values and to recognize that character is a choice that defines us. In this conversation, Stanley McChrystal discusses the dynamics of leadership, the importance of courage in speaking up against groupthink, and the necessity of discipline in personal and professional life. He reflects on his experiences in high-pressure environments, the challenges of maintaining integrity, and the value of writing as a tool for clarifying thoughts and fostering a national dialogue on character. The discussion emphasizes the significance of learning from mistakes and the impact of personal values on leadership effectiveness.

00:00 The Essence of Leadership and Character

03:00 The Journey of Writing and Reflection

05:55 Marriage as a Foundation for Character

11:49 The Role of Character in Leadership

17:55 Understanding Core Values and Convictions

23:00 The Influence of Parents on Character

25:50 Confronting Fear in Leadership

30:15 The Pressure to Conform in Leadership

32:44 Courage to Speak Up: A Personal Reflection

35:33 Coaching Leaders to Embrace Truth

38:26 The Importance of Discipline in Leadership

46:57 Learning from Mistakes and Moving Forward

49:05 The Value of Writing and National Dialogue on Character

➡️ Get my Newsletter (Intentional Letter): https://courses.calwalters.me/signup

Discover Your Core Values: https://calwalters.me/course

Get Will's book: https://noelevatortoeverest.com/

Learn about Corner to Corner: https://cornertocorner.org/

In this conversation, Will Acuff shares his journey of finding joy amidst life's challenges, particularly through his experiences with his family and the transformative 'trauma camp' that helped him shift his perspective. He discusses the importance of self-compassion, the struggles of parenting a child with disabilities, and the pressures of maintaining a facade of having it all together. The dialogue emphasizes the significance of recognizing small sparks of joy and the power of community and support in navigating difficult times.

In this conversation, the speakers explore the themes of love, mercy, and personal responsibility within relationships. They discuss the drama triangle concept, emphasizing the importance of shifting from a hero mentality to one of ownership and self-compassion. The dialogue also touches on thriving in tough circumstances, the significance of self-awareness, and practical practices for cultivating joy in daily life.

00:00 Finding Joy in Hardship

02:53 The Journey to Trauma Camp

11:42 Transformative Experiences at Trauma Camp

22:02 The Power of Joy in Difficult Times

24:35 The Context of Love and Mercy

25:08 Understanding the Drama Triangle

29:04 Shifting from Hero to Ownership

30:44 The Impact of Codependency

32:07 Self-Compassion and Ownership

35:31 Thriving in Tough Circumstances

36:40 Exploring Joy and Self-Awareness

42:22 Practical Practices for Daily Joy Please visit my website to get more information:

https://calwalters.me/

🔔𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬. https://www.youtube.com/@intentionalleader_calwalters/?sub_confirmation=1